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Creativity is its Own Reward!  Guest post for Linda’s Book Bag

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lindas-book-bag-icon         Diane Solomon’s guest post for Linda’s Book Bag

 

Here’s an excerpt:

Being creative is often a calling. Are you compelled to create, be it art, music, poetry, fiction? Then you must do it. You must do it to fulfill your passion in life.  Without it you may feel dead, unfulfilled, trudging through the three-foot mudslog of life, day by day, without experiencing the joy of your own heart.

But, I hear you ask:“Will someone else like my artistic endeavor?” My answer: Who cares? Seriously. WHO CARES?

A few tips for artists and writers everywhere:

1) Dare to Suck (or Dare to Fail, for those of you appalled by the vulgarity.) As a singer/songwriter, I learned early (after an ego struggle) to trust the creative process and dive deeply into it. You have to dare to be criticized, dare to be silly, dare to be crazy, to be wild. You have to Dare to Suck.

READ The entire guest blog at Linda’s Book Bag

 

Check out our middle-grade fantasy/mystery entitled, The Ravenstone: The Secret of Ninham Mountain.
   Raventsone Homeschooling Book Cover

About Diane Solomon
EloquentRascals.com 

 

Book Links for The Ravenstone

AMAZON:  Kindle or paperback
SMASHWORDS eBook
GOODREADS
TWITTER
NETGALLEY
BARNES AND NOBLE Nook & Paperback

About the book: Imagine a raven appearing out of thin air and guiding you to an exquisitely carved icon that glows with ancient light and pulses with shamanic power.  This is how the adventure begins for Nadia and Aidan Shaw, 13-year-old twins, who live in idyllic Cold Spring, New York. Armed with the power of the Ravenstone and their own special gifts, they embark on a harrowing quest across centuries, at the bidding of a mysterious old shaman. They must depend on their courage, their faith in their friends, and luck… or is it destiny?

If they succeed, what they bring back could change the course of human existence.


REVIEW:

Many thanks to Dii Bylo, a Top 1% Goodreads Reviewer for her 5-Star review

diannes-review-nov-4

NETGALLEY REVIEW INVITE

The Ravenstone

 

Book Reviews, Books, Diane Solomon author, Mark Carey, Mark Carey Author, Middle grade books, Uncategorized

Carrie K’s Book Reviews gives “The Ravenstone” 5 stars!

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Raventsone coverCarrie K’s Book Reviews

Many thanks to Carrie Kurtz of Carrie K’s Book Reviews for her wonderful review! So glad she loved it.


Book Reviews: REVIEW EXCERPT:

“There were honestly so many interesting things in this book!  It kept me wanting to read and I found myself trying to sneak in extra times to read a chapter or two.  As a matter of fact, I “went to bed” early so that I could finish it last night!

I will certainly be recommending this book!  Not just to children or middle graders, but to anyone who enjoys reading science fiction, fantasy, action, magical type genres.”  

READ ON!Carrie K's Book Reviews

Book Reviews, Books, Diane Solomon author, Mark Carey, Mark Carey Author, Uncategorized

Another great review for “The Twain!”

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Another wonderful review for “The Ravenstone Part 2: The Twain.”

We are so thrilled! Such a wonderful review on Amazon.

5 STARS: “What a great story!

“I was hooked from the first page and had a hard time stepping away as I followed the continuing adventures of Aiden and Nadia from present day England into past and future New York, and times and places unknown. The underlying goodness of the main characters and their determination to use their brains and gifts to create a better world is so refreshing in contrast to the often disappointing trends in today’s world.

In “The Twain”, the story of the Ravenstone continues and grows from the seeds planted in “The Secret of Ninham Mountain”, the first book of the Ravenstone series. Rarely does a sequel live up to the excitement and satisfaction experienced in the origin story, but “The Twain” does just that, and more.

While this book stands on it’s own, I recommend reading it’s prequel. In fact, I’m sure you will be itching to read it if you haven’t already. And if you have read it, then like me, you will be pulling it off the bookshelf to re-read just to remain in the world of the Ravenstone for a bit longer.

There are clearly more adventures to be had and I will be looking forward to what’s next in the lives of Nadia and Aidan.”

Book Reviews, Books, Diane Solomon author, Mark Carey, Mark Carey Author, Middle grade books

Great review for The Ravenstone Part 2: The Twain

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Such a great review tonight on Amazon for our newly published sequel to The Ravenstone.  Part 2: The Twain

5 STARS  Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2020 Verified Purchase

Book Reviews, Books, Diane Solomon author, Mark Carey, Mark Carey Author, Middle grade books

The Ravenstone Part 2 is published! “The Twain”

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The Ravenstone Part 2: The Twain is published! 

The Ravenstone Part 2: The Twain, by Diane Solomon and Mark Carey

The eBook is 99c on promotion for the next two weeks. 

AMAZON TO PURCHASE: https://www.amazon.com/Ravenstone-Twain-Diane-Solomon-ebook/dp/B08CG7MV4F

Middle school/Young adult fantasy novel series about 13-yer-old time-travelling twins

A little about the book:

In the much anticipated sequel to The Ravenstone: The Secret of Ninham Mountain, Aidan and Nadia experience a terrifyingly real vision of a massive earthquake which threatens their mother’s life. The mission to save her grows in scope as they investigate, and their subsequent trips across time and space force them to face unimaginable dangers. They must rely on their growing skills plus all the powerful magic of the Ravenstone in their urgent need to stop the disaster facing the earth. Will they succeed? And at what cost?

REVIEW: “Solomon and Carey’s imaginative storytelling sweeps you into a fascinating tale of mystery and adventure. Young twins Nadia and Aidan stumble upon an ancient power that could help their family in the future, or trap them in the past forever. Highly recommended!”   ~ Linda Zimmermann, successful author of 30 books about the paranormal and mysterious stone sites.

Books, Diane Solomon author, Diane Solomon Editor, Diane Solomon Homeopathy & Nutrition, Mark Carey, Mark Carey Author, Middle grade books, Uncategorized

Fun Author Interview with Sally of Quills and Roses!

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Thanks Sally, for the wonderful author interview you posted on your blog! 

Diane and Mark Author Interview excerpt:

“Hey all! Recently I’ve had the good fortune of being given an awesome MG time travel adventure to read (check out my review of The Ravenstone here) and now the talented authors Mark & Diane are doing an interview for me. (Seriously guys, y’all should become book reviewers. The perks are so cool.) In any case, less rambling from me and more from the lovely authors themselves!”

What were you like as a kid?

MARK: When I was in elementary school I was practically invisible. Average height, average weight, average looking and quiet as a mouse… when I was at school, at least.  In Junior High I grew so fast people didn’t recognize me in the fall after summer vacation. My newfound size brought with it confidence. By the ninth grade my English teacher told me I had found the power of words but not the wisdom to wield them. Fortunately, she liked me in spite of myself and did her best to give my verbal skills direction. I hope I have lived up to her expectations. Thank you Mrs. Campbell, wherever you are.

READ MORE:

https://quillsandroses.wordpress.com/2017/02/04/author-interview-diane-solomon-mark-carey/

 

Book Reviews, Books, Diane Solomon author, Mark Carey, Mark Carey Author, Middle grade books

A wonderful review from Caroline of “Bits About Books”!

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Oh, such a great review! Many thanks to Caroline of Bits About Books

Review of The Ravenstone, excerpts:

Homeschooling The Ravenstone Book cover“What an adventurous book and enthralling story this is!”

“I loved reading this adventurous and magical tale about the twins and their powers. Here is one book you won’t be putting down easily, whether you are an adult (young at heart) or a teen…”

“Diane Solomon and Mark Carey have woven an extraordinary story around the twins and the mirror-theme.”

“I loved reading it! To be recommended for everyone of whatever age, who enjoys an adventurous fantasy novel!”

Read the whole review for The Ravenstone from Bits About Books

Caroline writes about the book:

“I love reading about the 13-year-old twins Nadia and Aidan who live in Cold Spring, New York. They stumble upon a mysterious dark stone, hidden underneath a mirror in the attic. There is something magical about the mirror that only the twins can see. There is an old wizard in the mirror who beckons them. With him is a black raven. When the wizard disappears a single black feather is lying on the floor. How is that possible? Follow me and find out!”